Care item and cleaning device comprising such a care item

ABSTRACT

A care item for cleaning a determined surface is provided. The item has a three-dimensional textile component of unitary knitted construction, including a first knitted textile layer and a second knitted textile layer, connected by connecting threads extending between the first textile layer and the second textile layer, in that the first layer comprises, on its external face referred to as cleaning, microfibres, and optionally scratching fibres having a count greater than 1 dtex, and in that the connecting threads form a water-absorbing intermediate layer.

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of care items forcleaning floor surfaces, and cleaning devices for executing such careitems and the manufacturing processes of such care items.

BACKGROUND

When the aim is to clean a surface on the floor, it is known to use careitems comprising according to their lower surface referred to ascleaning a textile constituted by loops and/or pile of microfibres andloops and/or pile of fibres having a count greater than 1 dtex, alsodesignated by the term scratching fibres. Microfibres are known to forman extremely dense capillary network which gives them excellentabsorption of liquids and good recovery of smaller particles such asdust. Microfibres in the present text mean all fibres whereof the countis less than or equal to 1 dtex.

The loops or pile formed by fibres having a count greater than 1 dteximpart an abrasive or scratching power to said care item to detach anystains arranged on the surface to be cleaned.

The microfibres have an absorbent power such that if they fullyconstitute the cleaning surface, the care item handled remotely by meansof a head-plate and a broom adheres so strongly to the floor to becleaned, in particular when the care item is humid, that the user is nolonger able to shift said item (“suction effect” generated by thecapillary network). If the care item is too difficult to handle, it cancause musculo-skeletal disorders (known as MSD) for its user, inparticular when the latter is performs these repetitive tasks daily.

To eliminate this disadvantage and improve the ergonomics of the careitems, scratching fibres having a count greater than 1 dtex are arrangedto alternate with said microfibres. The scratching fibres having ahigher count than that of the microfibres, are more rigid and formsupport points according to the surface referred to as cleaning on whichthe care item can slide on the surface of the floor to be cleaned.

In general, according to their lower surfaces—intended to form thesurface referred to as cleaning making contact with the floor—such careitems comprise around 50% by weight of microfibres relative to theproportion by weight of fibres on said lower faces, the rest beingformed by fibres having a count greater than 1 dtex.

These care items can be laminated with a foam or comprise otherabsorbent textile panels arranged on their upper faces.

Such care items are limited in the quantity of microfibres theircleaning surfaces can have, as well as by their fineness (or dtexcount). In fact, the finer the microfibres (i.e. the lower their count(dtex)), the better they absorb liquids and recover dust present on thefloor, but the more they tend to adhere to the cleaning surface on thefloor, making them difficult to use.

Also, because microfibres have a greater absorption and recoverycapacity than scratching fibres, there is therefore an interest intrying to optimize their quantity and/or their fineness according to thecleaning surface of the care items.

Corresponding to each surface and cleaning zone is a care item, inparticular when cleaning is conducted by professionals in professionalpremises. For cleaning surfaces on the floor of rooms where the aim isto control and prevent production of particles (dust, hair, skin, . . .), it is important not to introduce in these rooms, care items likely torelease these particles. Such rooms can be, for example, clean rooms,surgery theatres, rooms for manufacturing electronic or pharmaceuticalproducts. The care items used for cleaning these rooms can even bewashed then sterilised prior to their use. Care items used currently forcleaning these rooms are in the form of a multilayer complex. Thiscomplex comprises two external layers between which is arranged aplurality of felt or other absorbent layers such as non-wovens. Theexternal layer can comprise microfibres. The complex also comprisesstitching, for example a overlock stitch, placed over its entirecircumference to keep the layers together and limit particle loss.Transversal stitching over the entire thickness of the complex is alsorequired to prevent the multiple intermediate layers from twisting inthe pocket delimited between the external layers joined according totheir borders and make for easier handling of the complex. This type ofcomplex has a water absorption rate of between 200% and 400% relative toits dry mass.

The presence of multiple stitchings and many layers makes it tedious andcostly to produce such a multilayer complex. Also, the presence ofstitchings and many layers favour particle discharge. Finally, thestructure of superposed multilayers makes it difficult to restoreabsorbed water and limits the surface area of the surface to be cleanedto around 15 m².

There is therefore a need for a care item having considerable waterabsorption capacity, limiting the discharge of particles and theproliferation of bacteria.

There is a need for a simplified care item, which can be reusable andtherefore washable, having a good washing resistance, and is ergonomic.

Finally, there is a need for a care item which is easy to recycle andhas a controlled manufacturing cost so it can be disposable (singleuse).

SUMMARY

The aim of the present disclosure, according to a first aspect, is acare item for cleaning a determined surface, eliminating all or some ofthe problems mentioned hereinabove, comprising advantageously athree-dimensional textile component, of unitary knitted construction,comprising a first knitted textile layer and a second knitted textilelayer, connected by connecting threads extending between the firsttextile layer and the second textile layer.

The first textile layer comprises, on its external face referred to ascleaning, microfibres, and optionally scratching fibres having a countgreater than 1 dtex. Also, the connecting threads form a water-absorbingintermediate layer.

Advantageously, the intermediate layer comprising the connecting threadsis capable of restoring water absorbed progressively for cleaning of thedetermined surface under the effect of pressure exerted on the latterwhen the care item is applied with some pressure (manual pressure of theuser for example) to the surface to be cleaned.

Advantageously, since the textile component is of unitary knittedconstruction, its construction is simplified. The ergonomics of the careitem is also improved compared to the multilayer complexes of the priorart.

The fact that the care item is made of a single component makes iteasier to cut, avoiding multiple cuts of several layers in light oftheir assembly.

The expression “a textile component of unitary knitted construction”means that the textile component comprising the first and second knittedtextile layers and the intermediate layer comprising the connectingthreads is formed integrally by knitting on a knitting machine.

Average count (or count) (dtex) of fibres present on the surfacereferred to as cleaning, and in general fibres in the textile componentaccording to the disclosure, the weighted average of counts (dtex) ofthe different fibres.

A fibre or a filament is designated in the present text by the termfibre (whether fibre scratching or a microfibre).

Preferably, the first layer is different to the second layer, inparticular via their composition of fibres and/or their mesh pattern.More preferably, the second textile layer (considered without theconnecting threads) has no microfibres.

Preferably, the first layer is the functional layer of the knittedtextile component supporting the scratching fibres and/or themicrofibres while the second layer ensures the three-dimensionalconfiguration of the textile component by its link to the first layer bymeans of the connecting threads.

The scratching fibres according to the disclosure are preferablymulti-filament and/or mono-filament threads, having a count greater than1 dtex, in particular each filament of a multifilament thread and/or amono-filament thread has a count greater than 1 dtex.

The term microfibre designates a fibre or a filament. A microfibre ispreferably in the form of a (micro)filament of a multi-filament thread(said filaments can be irregular due to their production process,well-known to the person skilled in the art).

Microfibres and scratching fibres, and optionally connecting threads,are preferably selected from the following polymers: polyamide 6,polyamide 6-6, polyamide 4-6, polyamide 12, polyethylene terephthalate,polypropylene and polyethylene, or their mixtures, preferablypolyethylene terephthalate.

Scratching fibres, and optionally connecting threads (with the exceptionof microfibres), can comprise fibres and/or threads absorbing badodours, especially based on coffee, such as fibres sold under the brands.Cafe®.

Advantageously, the knitted textile component is made of a singlepolymer, in particular polyethylene terephthalate (PET), enabling easyrecycling.

In an embodiment, the knitted textile component is made of one or morethermoplastic polymer materials.

Microfibres, in particular each microfilament of a multi-filamentthread, preferably have/has a count less than or equal to 1 dtex,preferably less than or equal to 0.87 dtex.

Preferably, microfibres, in particular each microfilament of amulti-filament thread, have/has a count of the order of 0.58 dtex or0.26 dtex, close to +/−0.15 dtex.

Preferably, the microfibres are in the form of multifilament threads.Such a multi-filament thread can be, for example, a multi-filamentthread of 167 dtex for 192 filaments or 288 filaments, or even 78 dtexfor 300 filaments.

Preferably, the scratching fibres, in particular each filament of amultifilament scratching thread and/or a mono-filament scratchingthread, have/has a count greater than 1 dtex, more preferably greaterthan or equal to 3 dtex, in particular less than or equal to 65 dtex,more particularly less than or equal to 46 dtex.

Calculating the count (dtex) of a fibre (and therefore of a thread) iswell known to the person skilled in the art, and there are manystandards which calculate them, including especially the followingstandards cited non-exhaustively:

-   -   NF G01-001: Expression of lineic mass—System TEX;    -   NF EN ISO 1973: Determination of lineic mass: gravimetric method        and vibroscope method;    -   ISO 7211-5: 1984: Fabrics. Construction. Analysis method. Part        5: determination of the lineic mass of a thread sampled in a        fabric.

The values given in the present text are indicated at more or less 10%.

In a variant, the first textile layer and the second textile layer areeach a warp knit.

This arrangement arranges the scratching fibres and the microfibresaccording to many patterns and/or arranges spaces in the first layer ofvaried size and shape.

The three-dimensional textile component according to the disclosure ispreferably knitted on a knitting machine comprising two bars (or beds)of needles, for example a Rachel knitting machine, such as those sold bythe company Karl Mayer.

Preferably, the surface mass (g/m²) of the three-dimensional textilecomponent is greater than or equal to 100 g/m², more preferably greaterthan or equal to 150 g/m², even more preferably greater than or equal to200 g/m², in particular greater than or equal to 250 g/m².

Preferably, the surface mass (g/m²) of the three-dimensional textilecomponent is less than or equal to 850 g/m², more preferably less thanor equal to 750 g/m², even more preferably less than or equal to 650g/m², in particular less than or equal to 550 g/m², more particularlyless than or equal to 500 g/m².

In a variant, the connecting threads comprise microfibres.

Advantageously, the textile component according to the disclosurereaches water absorption thresholds of the order of 600%, which is veryclearly greater than the absorption capacity of the multilayer complexesof the prior art between 200% and 400%.

In a variant, the connecting threads comprise mono-filament threads.

This arrangement improves resistance to compression between the firstand second layers of the textile component when the care item is appliedto the surface to be cleaned, as well as the ergonomics of the care itemsince its behaviour is improved.

Preferably, a mono-filament thread has a count greater than or equal to20 dtex and less than or equal to 60 dtex, in particular less than orequal to 50 dtex.

In a variant, a mono-filament thread has a diameter greater than orequal to 10 μm (microns), preferably greater than or equal to 15 μm(microns), in particular less than or equal to 90 μm (microns), moreparticularly less than or equal to 70 μm (microns).

In a variant, the connecting threads comprise microfibres andmono-filament threads.

This combination of microfibres and monofilament threads for theintermediate layer improves the ergonomics of the care item, itsresistance to compression, but also favours properties of theintermediate layer: specifically the absorption of water and itsrestitution when compressed.

In a variant, the three-dimensional textile component comprisesaccording to all or part of its perimeter (that is, its external border)a connecting zone in which the first and second textile layers, and theconnecting threads, are thermo-welded.

Preferably, the welding zone is produced by ultrasound welding.

In the welding zone, the first and second layers and the connectingthreads are melted, at least partially; there is no space generatedbetween holes and stitching threads as is the case in the prior art,which prevents or at least limits the emission of particles via theintermediate layer to the outside of the care item.

The connecting zone could also be created alternatively by stitching,but this technique represents fewer advantages in the scope of thepresent disclosure.

Also, the care item with a thermo-welded connecting zone has anappearance radically different to the items of the prior art, andimproved aesthetics.

In an embodiment, the welding zone is preferably obtained during cuttingof the textile component in the knitted textile panel.

Advantageously, cutting out the textile component and finishing itsborder are completed in one and the same operation.

In a variant, the intermediate layer has a thickness greater than orequal to 1 mm, preferably less than or equal to 20 mm, more preferablyless than or equal to 10 mm, in particular less than or equal to 6 mm.

In a variant, the first textile layer comprises holes, having especiallyat least one dimension greater than or equal to 1 mm. By definition, ahole is a zone without fibres.

These holes terminate on the intermediate layer, which makes for easyabsorption of fluid, water in particular, via the intermediate layer, inparticular via the connecting threads.

These holes in the first layer can have any form from the moment theyterminate on the intermediate layer.

In a variant, the first textile layer comprises, on its external facereferred to as cleaning, microfibres alternating with scratching fibresaccording to a first pattern.

In a variant, the external face of the first layer comprises a frontpart and a rear part in extension of each other having respectiveexternal faces, the front part comprises, according to its externalface, microfibres and scratching fibres, the rear part comprises,according to its external face, microfibres, and optionally scratchingfibres having a count greater than 1 dtex. The average count T1 (dtex)of the microfibres and scratching fibres on said external face of thefront part is greater than or equal to 0.5 dtex, the average count T2(dtex) of microfibres, and optionally of scratching fibres, on theexternal face of the rear part is less than or equal to 2 dtex, and theaverage count T1 (dtex) is different to the average count T2 (dtex).

Advantageously, the capillary network between the front and rear partsis differentiated, the care item has adhesiveness on the cleaningsurface on the floor different between the external face of the frontpart and the external face of the rear part and therefore a recovery andabsorption capacity for different stains between these parts.

The count intervals specified for each of the parts confer on theexternal face of the front part the function of sliding on the surfaceon the floor to be cleaned. The external face of the front part formsthe “attack” face, that is, the face from which the user has the careitem slide on the surface on the floor.

The surface masses (g/m²) and count (dtex) indicated relative to thefirst (or second) layer are calculated on the first (or second) layerdevoid of connecting threads. In fact, the connecting threads extendingbetween the first and second layers are linked to the structure of thefirst (and of the second) layer but are not counted as forming part ofthe first (or of the second) layer when calculations are made on theaverage count of the first layer (relative to the microfibres and/or thescratching fibres) and the weight (g) or surface mass (g/m²) of thefirst layer.

The inventors have observed surprisingly that the external face of thefront part removes stains and retrieves them by way of the microfibresit comprises and that the external face of the rear part retrieves evenmore dust and stains other than that of the front part. This observationis made visually.

Also, the user has no difficulty in having the care item slide on thesurface on the floor from the moment it starts to move said itemaccording to its surface referred to as cleaning by the external face ofthe front part.

The front and rear parts are in extension of each other and areconstituted by the first textile layer.

The specified values concerning the average counts or again theproportions by weight of fibres are calculated relative to the fibrespresent on the external surfaces of the front and rear parts of thefirst layer, devoid of connecting threads.

In a variant, the average count T1 (dtex) is greater than the averagecount T2 (dtex).

In a variant, the rear part of the first layer comprises, according toits external face, a proportion by weight of microfibres greater thanthe proportion by weight of microfibres of the front part, relative tothe total weight of the first layer.

In a variant, the microfibres and the scratching fibres on the externalface of the front part of the first layer alternate repeatedly accordingto a first given pattern, and the microfibres and the scratching fibreson the external face of the rear part of the first layer alternaterepeatedly according to a second given pattern, optionally the firstpattern is different to the second pattern.

In a variant, the first pattern and/or the second pattern is/areselected from: continuous or discontinuous alternating lines ofmicrofibres and/or scratching fibres, zig-zags of microfibres and/orscratching fibres, islets or localized areas of scratching fibres ormicrofibres.

In a variant, the second layer comprises according to its external faceattachment means able to cooperate with complementary attachment meansarranged on the tray of a brush.

Said attachment means can be formed by the structure of the secondtextile layer, in particular knitted, so as to cooperate with thecomplementary attachment means, such as hooks.

In a variant, the textile component comprises two side pockets formed byfolding and partial connection of the two lateral ends of saidcomponent, in particular according to at least said connecting zone,each pocket being arranged so as to be able to receive a lateral end ofa tray of a cleaning device.

Advantageously, the two lateral ends of the component knitted are foldedback on themselves and joined so as to form pockets.

Preferably, the pockets are formed by joining their edges on theconnecting (thermo-welded) zone, by welding and/or preferably bystitching.

Advantageously, the perforations made by the stitching are in the weldedconnecting zone, which avoids discharge of particles of the intermediatelayer in the ambiance.

Preferably, in this variant, the textile component has a rectangularform, also designated in the prior art by band.

Another aim of the present disclosure, according to a second aspect, isa cleaning device comprising a care item according to any one of thevariants defined hereinabove in reference to a first aspect, comprisinga broom equipped with a broom handle fitted at its distal end with ahead-plate whereof the dimensions are of the order of those of the careitem.

The aim of the present disclosure, according to a third aspect, is aprocess for manufacturing a care item for cleaning a determined surfaceaccording to any one of the variant embodiments defined hereinabove inreference to a first aspect of the disclosure.

Said process comprises the following steps:

(i)—a step for knitting a three-dimensional textile panel, of unitaryknitted construction, comprising a first knitted textile layer and asecond knitted textile layer, connected by connecting threads extendingbetween the first textile layer and the second textile layer, the firstlayer comprising, on its external face referred to as cleaning,microfibres, and optionally scratching fibres having a count greaterthan 1 dtex, and the connecting threads form a water-absorbingintermediate layer,

(ii)—a step for forming a three-dimensional textile component by cuttingout the knitted textile panel at step (i), especially by means of anultrasound cutting device.

Advantageously, the first and second layers and the intermediate layerare knitted continuously.

In a variant embodiment, said process comprises a step for forming aconnecting zone arranged according to all or part of the circumference(in particular external border) of the three-dimensional textilecomponent, in which connecting zone the first and second textile layers,and the connecting threads, are thermo-welded.

In an embodiment, the step for forming the textile component and thestep for forming the connecting zone take place during the same step, inparticular by means of a device comprising a set of rotating sonotrodesfor executing cutting and welding by means of ultrasound.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The present disclosure will be better understood from the followingexemplary embodiments, cited by way of non-limitation and illustrated bythe following figures attached to the present, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation, in perspective, of a first exampleof care item according to the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the first example of care item 1according to the sectional plane II-II shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation, seen from above, of the firstexample of care item shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation, in perspective, of a secondexample of care item according to the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation, in perspective, of a third exampleof care item according to the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation, in perspective, of a fourthexample of care item according to the disclosure comprising two sidepockets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The care item 1 for cleaning a determined surface shown in FIGS. 1 to 3comprises a three-dimensional textile component 2, of unitary knittedconstruction, comprising a first knitted textile layer 3 and a secondknitted textile layer 4, connected by connecting threads 5 extendingbetween the first textile layer 3 and the second textile layer 4. Thefirst textile layer 3 comprises, on its external face 3 a referred to ascleaning, microfibres, and optionally scratching fibres having a countgreater than 1 dtex. The connecting threads 5 form a water-absorbingintermediate layer 7 and comprise microfibres and mono-filament threads.The mono-filament connecting threads extending between the first knittedlayer 3 and the second knitted layer 4 have a diameter greater than orequal to 10 μm (microns), especially of the order of 64 μm (microns).The mono-filament connecting threads are preferably made of polyethyleneterephthalate.

The connecting threads 5 comprising microfibres are multifilamentwhereof the filaments each have a count less than or equal to 1 dtex, inparticular less than or equal to 0.87 dtex.

The textile component 2 is a three-dimensional knit whereof the firsttextile layer 3 and the second textile layer 4 are each a warp stitchknitted fabric.

The textile component 2 is three-dimensional in the plane (x, y, z) andhas a thickness e greater than or equal to 1 mm, in particular less thanor equal to 6 mm. The knitted textile component 2 has a width l and alength L greater than its width l. The knitted textile component 2, seenfrom above (FIG. 3), has a rectangular form but could have any formaccording to the targeted application (lozenge, square, trapezoid, . . .).

The textile component 2 comprises according to all or part of itsperimeter a connecting zone 10 in which the first 3 and second 4 knittedtextile layers, and the connecting threads 5, are thermo-welded.

Advantageously, the thermo-welded zone 10 is formed during cutting in aknitted textile panel 3D.

The first textile layer 3 comprises, on its external face 3 a referredto as cleaning, microfibres alternating with scratching fibres without aparticular pattern.

It has been observed that the microfibres of the intermediate layer 5achieve absorption rates of the order of 600%-650% for the care item 1,whereas the mono-filament threads improve resistance to compressionaccording to the direction z of the care item 1.

The second example of care item 15 shown in FIG. 4 will be describedhereinbelow only by its differences to the first example care item 1.The second example of care item 15 comprises a three-dimensional knittedtextile component 16 in which the external face 17 a referred to ascleaning of the first layer 17 comprises scratching fibres alternatingwith microfibres according to a first pattern 18. Said first pattern 18comprises strips of microfibres alternating with strips of scratchingfibres. The scratching fibres can for example have a colour different tothe colour of the microfibres to reinforce the visual effect of thefirst pattern 18.

The third example of care item 20 shown in FIG. 5 will be describedhereinbelow only by its differences to the first example care item 1.The external face 21 a of the first knitted layer 21 of thethree-dimensional knitted textile component 22 comprises a front part 23and a rear part 24 in extension of each other having respective externalfaces 23 a, 24 a, the front part 23 comprises, according to its externalface 23 a, microfibres and scratching fibres, the rear part 24comprises, according to its external face 24 a, microfibres, andoptionally scratching fibres having a count greater than 1 dtex. Theaverage count T1 (dtex) of microfibres and scratching fibres on saidexternal face 23 a of the front part 23 is greater than or equal to 0.5dtex, the average count T2 (dtex) of microfibres, and optionallyscratching fibres, on the external face 24 a of the rear part 24 is lessthan or equal to 2 dtex, and the average count T1 (dtex) is different tothe average count T2 (dtex), in particular the average count T1 (dtex)is greater than the average count T2 (dtex).

The front part 23 and the rear part 24 are in extension of each otherand formed in a single textile panel, in this example specified by thefirst knitted layer 21. The dotted line 25 fictitiously delimits theborder between the front part 23 and the rear part 24. The microfibresand the scratching fibres are arranged according to no particularpattern on the front 23 and rear 24 parts.

The rear part 24 comprises, according to its external face 24 a, aproportion by weight (g) of microfibres greater than the proportion byweight (g) of microfibres of the front part 23, relative to the totalweight (g) of the first layer 21 (considered without the connectingthreads).

The fourth example of care item 30 shown in FIG. 6 will be describedhereinbelow only by its differences to the first example care item 1.

The textile component 31 comprises two side pockets 32, 33 formed byfolding and partial connection of the two lateral ends of said component31, in particular according to at least said thermo-welded connectingzone 34, each pocket 31, 32 being arranged so as to receive a lateralend of a head-plate of a cleaning device. The edges 32 a, 32 b, 32 c, 33a, 33 b, 33 c of the pockets 32, 33 are joined, preferably by sewing, inthe connecting zone 34, which avoids creating spaces through which themicrofibres in the intermediate layer are sent into the atmosphere.

Advantageously, the care items 1, 15, 20, 30 comprise a textilecomponent in a single piece comprising three layers formed integrallyduring knitting of the textile component.

Also, in operation, the intermediate layer 7 of the three-dimensionalknitted textile component 2 achieves water absorption rates of the orderof 600% when the connecting threads 5 comprise microfibres.

The care items 1, 15, 20, 30 according to the disclosure offer excellentwater absorption capacity, excellent ergonomics, improved aesthetics andlow particular discharge due to their monobloc construction. The unitaryknitted construction of 3D textile components of care items 1, 15, 20,30 should also improve the potential cleaning surface covered by saiditems compared to complexes multilayers used in the prior art.

Throughout the description, including the claims, the term “comprisinga” should be understood as being synonymous with “comprising at leastone” unless otherwise stated. In addition, any range set forth in thedescription, including the claims should be understood as including itsend value(s) unless otherwise stated. Specific values for describedelements should be understood to be within accepted manufacturing orindustry tolerances known to one of skill in the art, and any use of theterms “substantially” and/or “approximately” and/or “generally” shouldbe understood to mean falling within such accepted tolerances.

Where any standards of national, international, or other standards bodyare referenced (e.g., ISO, etc.), such references are intended to referto the standard as defined by the national or international standardsbody as of the priority date of the present specification. Anysubsequent substantive changes to such standards are not intended tomodify the scope and/or definitions of the present disclosure and/orclaims.

Notably, although some features, concepts or aspects of the inventionsmay be described herein as being a preferred or advantageous arrangementor method, such description is not intended to suggest that such featureis required or necessary unless expressly so stated.

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A care item for cleaning a determined surfacewherein it comprises a three-dimensional textile component, of unitaryknitted construction, comprising a first knitted textile layer and asecond knitted textile layer, connected by connecting threads extendingbetween the first textile layer and the second textile layer, in thatthe first layer comprises, on its external face referred to as cleaning,microfibres, and wherein the connecting threads form a water-absorbingintermediate layer.
 17. The care item according to claim 16, wherein theconnecting threads comprise microfibres.
 18. The care item according toclaim 16, wherein the connecting threads comprise mono-filament threads.19. The care item according to claim 18, wherein the mono-filamentthreads have a diameter greater than or equal to 10 μm (microns). 20.The care item according to claim 16, wherein the three-dimensionaltextile component comprises, according to all or part of its perimeter,a connecting zone in which the first and second textile layers, and theconnecting threads are thermo-welded.
 21. The care item according toclaim 16, wherein the first layer comprises scratching fibres having acount greater than 1 dtex.
 22. The care item according to claim 21,wherein the first textile layer comprises, on its external face referredto as cleaning, microfibres alternating with scratching fibres accordingto a first pattern.
 23. The care item according to claim 16, theexternal face of the first knitted layer comprising a front part and arear part in extension of each other, having respective external faces,the front part comprises, according to its external face, microfibresand scratching fibres, the rear part comprises, according to itsexternal face, microfibers having a count greater than 1 dtex, in thatthe average count T1 (dtex) of microfibres and scratching fibres on saidexternal face of the front part is greater than or equal to 0.5 dtex,the average count T2 (dtex) of microfibres on said external face of therear part is less than or equal to 2 dtex, and in that the average countT1 (dtex) is different from the average count T2 (dtex).
 24. The careitem according to claim 23, wherein the average count T1 (dtex) isgreater than the average count T2 (dtex).
 25. The care item according toclaim 23, wherein the rear part of the first layer comprises, accordingto its external face, a proportion by weight of microfibres greater thanthe proportion by weight of microfibres of the front part, relative tothe total weight of the first layer.
 26. The care item according toclaim 23, wherein the external face of the rear part comprisesscratching fibers, and wherein the microfibres and the scratching fibreson the external face of the front part of the first layer alternaterepeatedly according to a first pattern, and wherein the microfibres andthe scratching fibres on the external face of the rear part alternaterepeatedly according to a second pattern.
 27. The care item according toclaim 26, wherein the first pattern is different from the secondpattern.
 28. The care item according to claim 26, wherein the firstpattern and/or the second pattern is/are selected from: continuous ordiscontinuous alternating lines of microfibres and/or scratching fibres,zig-zags of microfibres and/or scratching fibres, islets or localizedareas of scratching fibres or microfibres.
 29. The care item accordingto claim 16, the textile component comprises two side pockets formed byfolding and partial connection of the two lateral ends of said textilecomponent, in particular according to at least said connecting zone,each pocket being arranged so as to receive a lateral end of ahead-plate of a cleaning device.
 30. A cleaning device comprising a careitem according to claim 16, wherein it comprises a broom equipped with abroom handle fitted at its distal end with a head-plate, whereof thedimensions are of the order of those of the care item.
 31. Amanufacturing process of a care item for cleaning a determined surfaceaccording to claim 16, wherein it comprises the following steps: (i)—astep for knitting a three-dimensional textile panel, of unitary knittedconstruction, comprising a first knitted textile layer and a secondknitted textile layer, connected by connecting threads extending betweenthe first textile layer and the second textile layer, the first layercomprising, on its external face referred to as cleaning, microfibres,and optionally scratching fibres having a count greater than 1 dtex, andthe connecting threads form a water-absorbing intermediate layer, (ii)—astep for forming a three-dimensional textile component by cutting saidknitted textile panel at step (i).
 32. The process according to claim31, wherein the cutting of said knitted textile panel is accomplished bymeans of an ultrasonic cutting device.
 33. The process according toclaim 31, comprising a step for forming a connecting zone arrangedaccording to all or part of the circumference of the three-dimensionaltextile component, in which connecting zone the first and second textilelayers, and the connecting threads are thermo-welded.